[Linux-aus] Format shifting ruled legal

[Brenda Aynsley]

Chris McCormick wrote:
> Hello,
> 
> Contratulations to everyone who lobbied for this.
> <http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/music-to-the-ears/2006/05/13/1146940775897.html>
> 

yes but its a double edged sword that may yet strike us down, with 
respect to the free trade agreement provisions and

"There will be separate legislation this year dealing with Australia’s 
remaining obligations under the Australia-United States Free Trade 
Agreement concerning the liability regime for circumvention of 
technological protection measures. This issue is under active 
consideration by the Government."

read for this deCSS under linux and the reverse engineering needed to 
allow linux users to play dvds, this was illegal in the US and could be 
in Australia in complying with the FTA.  (I am not expert in these 
matters, i simply wave a flag for you to notice)

so whilst some things work out fine, and lets face it, how was any 
democratic government ever going to enforce 'illegal' copying of cds and 
  taping of programs for personal use when so many people did it 
routinely???  Couldnt happen and wouldnt happen, it just makes it easy 
for government to sell the idea of introducing the much more draconian 
measures they are looking at now in order to comply with the US Free 
Trade Agreement.

cheers
brenda

-- 
Brenda Aynsley, FACS
Chairman ACS SA http://www.acs.org.au/
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